Core i7-9700T vs Core i3-12100TE

Core i7-9700T

8 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2019

Core i3-12100TE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-9700T

8 / 8

10,618

+1.8%

10,432

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700T

#358

Celeron G4930

MSRP: $42|Avg: $57

116%

#359

Ryzen 7 2700E

MSRP: $329|Avg: $329

116%

#360

Ryzen Embedded V2516

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

115%

#361

Ryzen Threadripper 9970X

MSRP: $2499|Avg: $2442

115%

#362

Core i9-14901E

MSRP: $557|Avg: $689

114%

#363

Celeron G5900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

114%

#364

Celeron G6900TE

MSRP: $53|Avg: $64

113%

#365

Core i5-8600T

MSRP: $213|Avg: $213

112%

#366

Celeron G4950

MSRP: $52|Avg: $63

112%

#367

Core i9-10900E

MSRP: $488|Avg: $450

112%

#368

Core i7-9700KF

MSRP: $374|Avg: $333

111%

#369

Core i5-8400T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $179

108%

#370

Athlon 240GE

MSRP: $75|Avg: $110

108%

#371

Core 5 120UL

MSRP: $277|Avg: $270

102%

#372

Ryzen Embedded V3C14

MSRP: $305|Avg: $305

101%

#373

Core i7-9700T

MSRP: $323|Avg: $276

100%

#374

Core i9-13900TE

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

97%

#375

Ryzen Embedded V2546

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

95%

#376

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399

92%

#377

Core i3-9100HL

MSRP: $225|Avg: $100

90%

#378

Core i9-12900TE

MSRP: $494|Avg: $664

90%

#379

Core i9-9940X

MSRP: $1387|Avg: $850

86%

#380

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

MSRP: $1899|Avg: $1836

85%

#381

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

84%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

79%

#383

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999

74%

#384

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

MSRP: $3990|Avg: $2850

73%

#385

Celeron G4900

MSRP: $42|Avg: $85

72%

#386

Ryzen Embedded V3C18I

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

72%

#387

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

70%

#388

Ryzen Embedded R2312

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

68%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-9700T delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-12100TE in both compute-intensive tasks (1.8% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-9700T	Core i3-12100TE
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($276)	✅ More affordable ($149)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: The Core i3-12100TE offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $149 (vs $276), it costs 46% less. While offering competitive performance, it results in a 82% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i7-9700T.

Insight	Core i7-9700T	Core i3-12100TE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+82%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($276)	✅ More affordable ($149)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-9700T Benchmark Check

Core i3-12100TE Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-9700T and Core i3-12100TE

Core i7-9700T

The Core i7-9700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,618 points. Launch price was $323.

Core i3-12100TE

The Core i3-12100TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,432 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700T packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-12100TE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700T has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-9700T versus 4 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE — a 7.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700T (base: 2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-9700T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i3-12100TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700T scores 10,618 against the Core i3-12100TE's 10,432 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i7-9700T. Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-9700T	Core i3-12100TE
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+7%	4 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.1 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	10,618+2%	10,432
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,100

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-12100TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700T versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100TE — the Core i3-12100TE supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700T) vs 20 (Core i3-12100TE) — the Core i3-12100TE offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-9700T	Core i3-12100TE
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-4800+25%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	20+25%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700T) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100TE). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9700T) and UHD Graphics 730 (Core i3-12100TE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700T targets Desktop, Core i3-12100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i3-12100TE rivals Ryzen Embedded V2000.